Mass

Mass

Mass can be measured in tons, kilograms (kg), grams (g), milligrams (mg) and other metric units of mass. Use the chart of the metric units of mass to remind yourself the relationship between metric units of mass from milligrams to tons.

Multiplying units of mass

Example 1

Multiply 3 tons 964 kg 300 g by 5.

Steps

1. Arrange units vertically with the smallest unit on the right and the largest unit on the left.

ton     kg      g
3      964    300
× 5

2. Multiply from the smallest to the largest unit, that is from right to left.

3. Consider the relationship between units of mass; 1 kg = 1,000 g and 1 ton = 1,000 kg.

4. Start by multiplying the smallest unit. Multiply 300 g by 5 to get 1,500 g. Remember, 1 kg = 1,000 g. Thus, 1,500 g equals to 1 kg and 500 g. Write 500 g in the grams column.

5. Multiply 964 kg by 5 to get 4,820 kg, then add 1 kg remained in step 4 to get 4,821 kg. Remember, 1 ton = 1,000 kg. Therefore, 4,821 kg equals to 4 tons and 821 kg.

6. Write 821 kg in the kilograms column.

7. Multiply 3 tons by 5 to get 15 tons, add 4 tons you got in step 5; 15 tons + 4 tons = 19 tons.

8. Write 19 tons in the tons column.

ton     kg      g
3      964    300
× 5
19      821    500

Therefore, the answer is 19 tons 821 kg 500 g